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  • Complete Fare Chart
  • Full and Reduced Fares (comparison)
  • Reduced Fare & Free Ride Programs
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Understanding Full and Reduced Fares

Full vs. Reduced Fares

• A "full fare" is the regular price for adult riders on the CTA. You pay "full fare" when you first board a bus or train as part of a trip.
• A "reduced fare" is a special, lower price for people who are eligible. This includes students or riders with disabilities, with a Reduced Fare ID card. Also, children 7-11 can ride at the reduced fare rate (children under 7 years of age ride free when riding with a fare-paying customer).
• Using a farecard to pay also enables you to transfer to another bus or train (for an additional transfer fee).
• Additionally, free ride programs exist for those who qualify.

Details: Full Fare

The full fare (bus and rail) is determined by the type of payment you use:

Transit Cards and Chicago Cards: $2.00 on buses; $2.25 at rail stations; transfer for 25 cents. Transfers allow two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding.  Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus offer quicker boarding and protected fares. 

Cash: $2.25 per ride on bus and rail; exact fare only; no change returned. No transfers issued when paying with cash.
 

Details: Reduced Fare

The Reduced Fare (bus and rail) is determined by the type of payment you use:

• Cash Reduced Fare: $1 per ride on bus; 85 cents on rail*, exact fare only. No transfers issued when paying with cash. *Cash not accepted at rail station turnstiles. See rail station Customer Assistant and add 85 cents value at the fare vending machine.
• Reduced fare Transit Card: 85 cents on buses and at rail stations. Transfer for 15 cents. Transfers allow two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding. Reduced fares are offered only to those customers who are eligible.

Details: Free Ride Programs

Free Rides are also offered to certain people. Learn more.

Learn more about reduced fares and free ride programs